The UK has an enduring low pay problem and a growing problem of in-work poverty, which will only be made worse by the current rise in inflation and cost of living.

Many low-paid workers performed essential jobs during the covid pandemic and had a disproportionate risk of infection as a result.

Independent work and employment think-tank, ReWAGE, recently published its policy briefing: Beyond the National Living Wage: further proposals for addressing low pay – in it we propose 6 policy changes that can help the low-paid.

In ReWAGE's live online event, Will Hutton, Observer columnist and President of the Academy of Social Sciences, hosts a discussion on the changes needed in public policy to address low pay.

ReWAGE is an independent expert advisory group modelled on SAGE that is co-chaired by Warwick and Leeds Universities and which focuses on the recovery and renewal of work and employment in the UK as it tackles the economic impact of Covid-19. Core funding is provided by the ESRC. ReWAGE is based in the Institute for Employment Research at Warwick University.

ReWAGE: 6 changes in public policy that would help the low-paid